Welding mechanism



y 1948- J. M. PATTERSON 2,440,595

WELDING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 13, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. M. PATTERSON 2,440,696

WELDING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/ar- 4/ or 4.2

/Nl/EN7OF?.' r/QMffi MPATTERSOM,

1 /16 firrom/s/ May 4, 1948 Patented May 4, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELDING MECHANISM James M. Patterson, Jennings, Mo., assignor to Central Mine Equipment 00., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri This invention relates to welding mechanisms;

and it has special reference to mechanisms for guiding, and for holding the head of a welding machine in proper position relative to rotary articles to be welded together during rotation of said articles.

An object of the invention is to provide mechanism for supporting and rotating an elongated cylindrical element and a spiral flight or rib on and about to be Welded to said cylindrical element, in combination with means for supporting a welding machine for longitudinal movements and having a head for eifecting welding connection between said cylindrical element and said spiral flight or rib by a welding composition fed to the line of separation between said element and said spiral flight or rib, and a device attached to and supported by a part of the welding machine for engaging said cylindrical element and said spiral flight or rib to hold the welding head in proper relationship thereto automatically and as an incident to rotation of said cylindrical element and said spiral flight or rib.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support for rotating a cylindrical element and a spiral flight or rib to be welded thereto, in combination with means for supporting a welding machine for longitudinal movements and having a head for effecting welding connection between said element and said part, and a series of rotary Wheels mounted on the welding machine for engaging said element and said part and holding the welding head of the machine in proper relationship thereto, and also moving the welding machine longitudinally in a plane parallel with the axis of said element automatically and as an incident to rotation of said element and said part.

Another and more general object of the invention is to provide mechanism for supporting and rotating an elongated cylindrical element carrying a circumferential part to be welded to said element, in combination with a welding machine having a head for effecting welding connection between said cylindrical element and said part by a welding composition fed to the line of separation between said element and said part, and a device attached to and supported by a part'of the welding machine for engaging said cylindrical element and said part to hold the welding head in proper relationship thereto automatically and as an incident to rotation of said cylindrical element and part.

Other objects and advantages should be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a longitudinally movable welding machine and a rotary cylindrical element and spiral flight or rib to be welded together during rotation thereof.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation showing a portion .of the rotary cylindrical element and spiral flight and the device that is supported by the welding machine for engaging said element and said flight and moving the Welding machine longitudinally automatically and as an incident to rotation of said element and flight.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing two wheels engaging the periphery of the cylindrical rotary element at circumferentially spaced points.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on'the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing several adapters for the wheels engaging the cylindrical element and the spiral flight or rib.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a bracket constituting a support for said adapters that carry the wheels engaging the rotary cylindrical element and the spiral flight or rib to be welded to said element.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of said bracket with a part thereof in section.

Fig. '7 is a sectional View of said bracket on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, showing, in broken lines, adapters in different adjusted positions on said bracket, as indicated by broken lines.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the adapters for the wheels used in the invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter shown in Fig. 8, having a wheel connected therewith.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a modification of the invention for attaching a circumferential part or annular spacer to an elongated cylindrical tube.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the adapters used in the modification of Fig. 10.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the elongated cylindrical element l is an auger section of the type disclosed in Benjamin F. Rassieur Patent No. 2,088,759, August 3, 1937. This cylindrical auger section is preferably tubular and supports a sprial flight or spiral rib 2. The auger section I and the flight or rib 2 are to be attached together by welding. One end of the auger section I is engaged with a rotary chuck 3 having a shaft l journalled in bearings 5 attached to a longitudinally adjustable bracket 6. The bracket 6 is movable to different longitudinally adjusted positions along a rigid horizontal support I to which said bracket may be attached by familiar clamping devices 8.

The opposite end of the auger section I is engaged by a chuck head 9 attached to a shaft ID in axial alinement with the shaft i and journalled for rotation in bearings .Il rigid on a bracket 12 attached to the horizontal support I. The shaft It constitutes adrive shaft for rotatingtlie auger section I engaged between and supported by the chuck members 3 and 9. The outer end of the shaft I 9 supports a number of pulleys I3 with which a driving belt from a motor (notrshownlmay be engaged to rotate the chuck device 9-40 and thereby positively rotate theauger' section I and the spiral flight or rib 2' thereon.

An electric welding machine I4 of known construction is supported for longitudinal: movements in a plane parallel with the axis of the auger section I. As shown, the frame of the welding machine is supported by a truck comprisingwheels I5 operating on and along rails I6 rigidly mounted parallel with the axisof an" auger section t mounted between the chuck elements 3 and 9'. Welding composition is fed through'a welding head I I supported andcarried by the welding machine It and having welding rod electrodes- I'S' adjacent to the periphery oifl the auger section I near the-joint I fl'betwe'en the auger section I and-the spiral fliglitor rib 2 thereon.

Hereto'fore, in the manufacture of. earth. augers and mining augers' including a 'rotary'auger section I and a spiralflight or'rib 2 diiiiculty'hasbe'en encountered in effecting awelding attachment between said two'parts. It'has-b'een. difficult or impossible to move an electricwelding machinelongitudinally automatically and as an incident to rotation of the auger section I,- and to produce a weldedconnection attaching the spiral flight or rib 2 directly to the auger section I automatically and as an incident to the rotation of said. parts. The present invention provides a satisfactory solution ofthis diihculty, holds the welding machina and the electrodes I8 of the head I! in proper position relative to the=joint I'9' regardless of any irregularities in and along the surface of the augersecti'on I and regardless of any irregularities in and along the inner peripheral portions of the spiral flight or rib 2. By thisinventi'on, the weld'in machine is moved in'sync'hronism with the spiral of the flight or rib 2- regardless gf any variations in: the pitch of said flight or ri My'inventlon comprises a support 2'fl rigidly' attached tothe shaft 21 and to' the head II- of the electric welding machine. Anadapter bracketis detachably and rigidly secured to the support by removable and replaceable fasteners 22. Said bracket comprises two arms 23 and 24 separated by an intervening space 25 and having axially alined holes 26. An elongated adapter 21 having at least twoopposite flat sides is removably fitted in the space 25- between the arms 23, 24, and has a n'umber of unserewthrea-d'ed holes '28 and 29 adaptedto register with the holes 26selectively. That'is, any selected one of the holes 26 or 29 may be placed in registration with the holes 26 and rigidly secured to the bracket 23-44 by a fastener rod 30 extendin through the holes 25 and through the'respective holes in the adapter 21 selectively alined with said holes 26. A stud. 3I extends through a-selected one of the holes 28 and Z'Qangularly across the plane of the rod '30 and on its lower end supports a bracket 32. An axle 33 is supported by the bracket 32, and av wheel 34 is-rota'tively' mounted" on said axle and arrange to operate against the side of the spiral flight or rib 2 opposite from the side along or adjacent to which the electrodes IB operate. The stud 3I is shown as screwthreaded, and has tWo nuts 35 and 36 screwed thereon for clampingly engaging opposite sides of the adapter 2'! to hold the stud 3! rigidly in any adjusted position on said adapter according torthe? thickness. and according to the pitch of the spiral flight" or rib 2'. It is evident that the adapter 21 may be secured in any angle of inclination on the rod 39 so as to support the stud St at any selected angle of inclination with respect to the axis of the cylindrical auger section I, or'tosupport said stud 3| parallel with said axis; asdesire'd;

Preferably, two duplicate adapters 37 and 3t havingseries of unscrewthreaded holes 39 and as are mounted on the rod 3!] at the outer sides of the bracket arms 23 and 2 3, respectively. The adapters 31 and 38 may be duplicates of each other and: duplicates of the adapter 2? so that saidadapters-may, ifv desired, be interchangeably used; Theadapters 31 and'38 may be secured in any angles of inclination relative to the adapter 21-, andt'relative' to the axis of the cylindrical auger section I, or parallel with said axis, as de-' sired.

Studs 41- and'dZ; duplicates of each other and of the'stud 3|; extend through any selected holes 39 or Ifl-in the adapters3'! and 38 angularly with respect: to theplaneof the; rod 36. A bracket is connected with one end 0t each stud 4i and s2 and supports an axle' l l on which awheel 45 is mounted to: operate against circumferentially spaceclperipheralportions of the cylindrical auger section I.'. The-brackets' iii, axles 4 3, and wheels 45 are: duplicates of the bracket 32, axle 33, and wheel 3'41; respectively. The wheels 45- are at opposite' sides of the stud 3I,. leaving the wheel 34 free to'operate against theside of the spiral flight or rib 2' while the wheels 45 operate against spaced peripheral portions of the cylindrical auger section let .a' distance from said flight or rib 2'. Clamping nuts 45' screwed on threaded ends of the rod- 30' hold the adapters 21, 37 and 38? rigidly locatedjandprevent any accidental or unintended. displacement of. said: adapters. Thus, when said adapters,.and. the wheels 34 and as are properly adjustedthe electrodes l8 will positively bei guidedand. held adjacent: to thezjoint I 9- which is; between. the cylindrical auger section i and the Sp al ht or ribi2; When the Welding composition. is fed to" the point or line along which a weld is to be. formed, and ajacent to the electrically heated electrodes I8 inthe usual manner, a smooth and perfect weld 4 1' will be formed along the line of the joint I9; thereby rigidly and integrally uniting the spiral flight or rib 2 to the cylindrical auger section I by said weld. The rotation-'of'the auger-section I and the spiral flight orrib 2 is. at uniform speed, permitting nearly perfect application. of the welding composition to formasrnooth weld In the modification shown in Figs. and 11, annular spacers 48 are attached to an elongated cylindrical element 49 rotated by the-chucks 3 and 9 in the same manner that the cylindrical auger section I is rotated by said chucks. In this modification of the invention, a bracket 58 is rigidly attached to a support 5| by removable and replaceable fasteners 52, and supports a pair of adapters 53 and 54 in substitution for the adapters 31 and 38 and each having series of unscrewthreaded holes 55 and 56 like and for the same purpose as the holes 39 and 40 in said adapters 31 and 38. The adapters 53 and 54 are adjustably held on the bracket 50 by a clamping device comprising a bolt 51 and nuts 58 screwed on said bolt and engaging said adapters 53 and 54 to prevent accidental and unintentional dis placement thereof. A number of studs 59 analogous to the studs 4| and 42 are adjustably mounted in connection with the adapters 53 and 54 and held from displacement by clamping nuts 60. The studs 59 support wheels SI for operating along and against circumferentially spaced portions of the cylindrical element 49 like the wheels 45. A stud 62 has a bracket 63 on one end adjustably supporting another stud 64 carrying a wheel 65 for operating against the side of the annular spacer 48 opposite from the electrodes 18 of the welding head I! of the welding machine. Thus, when the cylindrical element 49 and the annular spacer 48 thereon are rotated by the chuck device already described, the electrodes l8 of the welding head I! Will be held in proper position relative to the joint between the cylindrical element 49 and to the annular spacer 48 thereon, along which the weld is to be formed. A perfect weld 66 integrally uniting the annular spacer 48 and the cylindrical element 49 will be formed.

From the foregoing, it should be evident that this invention attains all of its intended objects and purposes in a highly efiicient and satisfactory manner. In the-first modification of the invention, the welding machine is moved in synchronism with the rotation or movement of the elements to be attached by welds. In both modifications, it is possible to form the welds with much more rapidity and-more perfectly than by any other available devices heretofore available. I am aware that the invention may be varied in other particulars than those specifically disclosed without departure from the nature and principle of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Welding mechanism comprising a device for supporting and rotating and preventing longitudinal movement of a cylindrical element and a spiral flight on and about and to be welded to said element, in combination with means for supporting a welding machine for longitudinal movements and having a head for effecting welding connection between said cylindrical element and said spiral flight, and a device attached to and supported by a part of said welding machine for engaging said cylindrical element to hold the welding head in proper relationship thereto and controlling movement of the welding machine longitudinally in a plane parallel with the axis of said cylindrical element.

2. Welding mechanism comprising a device for supporting and rotating an elongated cylindrical element and an annular part to be welded to said element, in combination with a movable welding machine having a head for effecting welding connection between said element and said part during movement of said welding machine, and a device attached to and supported by a part of said welding machine for engaging said part adjacent said head to hold the welding head in proper relationship to said element and to said part during rotation of said element and said part during said movement of said welding machine.

3. Welding mechanism comprising means for supporting and rotating a cylindrical element and a spiral flight or rib on and about and to be welded to said element, in combination with means for supporting a welding machine for longitudinal movements and having a head for effecting Welding connection between said element and said flight, and a series of rotary wheels mounted on the welding machine for engaging said element and said flight and holding the welding head of said machine in proper relationship to said element and said flight and also moving the Welding machine longitudinally in a plane parallel with the axis of said element automatically and as an incident to rotation of I said element and said flight.

4. Welding mechanism comprising a device for supporting and rotating an elongated cylindrical element and a spiral flight on and about and to be welded to said element, in combination with means for supporting a welding machine for longitudinal movements and having a head for effecting welding connection between said element and said flight by welding composition delivered thereto, a bracket attached to said Welding machine, and a roller supported by said bracket for operating against the side of said flight opposite from said head to thereby move the welding machine longitudinally in a plane parallel with the axis of said element automatically and as an incident to rotation of element and said flight.

5. Welding mechanism comprising a device for supporting and rotating an elongated cylindrical element and a spiral flight on and about and to be welded to said element, in combination with means for supporting a welding machine for longitudinal movements and having a head for cf fecting welding connection between said element and said flight by welding composition delivered thereto, a bracket attached to said welding machine, a roller supported by said bracket for operating against the side of said flight opposite from said head to thereby move the welding machine longitudinally in a plane parallel with the axis of said element automatically and as an incident to rotation of said element and said flight, and rollers supported by said bracket for operating against circumferentially spaced portions of said element at a distance from and on the same side of said flight as said first wheel.

6. Welding mechanism comprising a device for supporting and rotating an elongated cylindrical element and a spiral flight on and about and to be welded to said element, in combination with means for supporting a welding machine for longitudinal movements and having a head for effecting welding connection between said element and said flight by welding composition delivered thereto, a bracket attached to said welding machine, a roller supported by said bracket for operating against the side of said flight opposite from said head to thereby move the welding machine longitudinally in a plane parallel with the axis of said element automatically and as an in cident to rotation of said element and said flight, and an adapter mounted in said bracket for bold- '1 ingisaidirollerin:dificrent:adjustments:relativerto saidhead:

7: Welding mechanism comprisingga device. for supportingq'and.rotatingian elongated cylindrical elementand; aispii'al flightoniand about and to be welded" to. said element; in combination with means for: supporting a welding. machine for longitudinal movements and having a head: for efiecting: welding. connection. between said element" and said flight by; welding composition; de livered thereto, a bracket attached to said welding ma-chine', a roller supported by; saidibracketfor operatingr against the side of said flight opposite fromzsaid head totherebymovethe weldingmachine: longitudinally in. a. plane parallel with: the axisof said element automatically and asan.incidentito rotation of. said element and said flight, rollers supported: by said bracket for operating against circumferentially spaced portions: of said element at a distancefrom and'on thesame'side of said flight as said first Wheel, and adapters supported b-y-said bracket for holding said last name'drrollers in different adjustmentsaccording to the diameter of saidicylindri'calt element.

8.: Welding mechanismcomprising" supporting means, awelding; machinemounted'for movements: in opposite directions on and along said supporting, means, chuck elements for supporting and rotating: a cylindrical spiral elementanda spiral lflighton andab'out and to'be' welded to said element during movement- 01. saidiwelding" machine in one direction along said supporting means, a support attached to' said welding machine; a rotary element carried by said support for: engaging a side of said flight inimmediate adj a'cence to the'locus oftwelding.andxtherebycon trollingmovement of said welding" machine duringirotation of said? cylindrical-element and said flight: and a; head carried bysaidiwelding machine for efiecting Welding connection between said element and-saidflight during-said controlled movement of: said welding'machine while-said cylindrical element andsaidflightare rotating;

9; In a device of. the character described, a welding machine supported for rectilinearv movements inopposite-directions. fromxandrtoa startin position, a. welding electrode headsupported by saidwelding. machine; a-isupnort attached to and carried; said; welding: machine, meanssfor continuously moving-J an article to be welded by the welding machine. and a rotary element mounted: on said. support. for" engaging in; immediate adj acence tol-said head the moving article to." be welded and controlling relativamovement between said welding machine and said; moving articleiduring-aweldingoperation;

10. In a device. of the-character described: a welding machine? mounted for: rectilinear move;-

mentsirr oppositerdirections;devices fol-support.

ing andv preventing longitudinal; movement; of parts to be welded together while said .partssare rotated about anuaxis" parallel; with said movements of said welding machine,- a' head e'attached to said welding-machine"for.effectingiweldingrcon nectionr between saidrpartsiduringsaid movement of said weldingmachine intone, direction, and-ran element attached to said we1ding,-machine:for engaging one of: said cparts that are to be welded together and thereby holdingsaid welding head of said: machinein proper; relationship to said parts duringmovementtof saidmachine:

11; Inan apparatus for progressively; welding the-joint betweena screw flight and a cylindrical core therewithin, a welding instrument; atravelins gauge-fixed relative to-sa-id instrument and releasably engageable with the flight, saidgauge being adapted to v ride upon; the. flight and fix i the position ofthe welding; instrument relative.- to the flight, adjacent the. locus of: welding; and means for rotating the: flight. and core together while the weldingginstrumentand assembly of flight and coreare free tor-move axially relative toeach other.

JAMES M-. PATTERSON.

REFERENCES CITED' The'= following references are of record: in: the filerof this'patenti UNITED; STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2;068,166- Dodge Jan-, 19, v1937 2,039,690 Trainer May; 5, 1-936 2,357,376 Baird; Sept, 5, 1944 

